A Psalm for 2016 by Robynn (Based on Psalm 136 and written at Sister Irene Nowell's suggestion)
2016 has been a difficult year. The entire globe can testify to this. War, terrorist attacks, the zika virus, political chaos, hacking and doping. Social contracts, that we've assumed to be universal, have been shredded. Nothing feels safe or reliable any more. We stand on shaky ground.
A couple of months ago I attended a workshop on the Psalms led by Sister Irene Nowell OSB. Sister Irene is an Old Testament scholar. She has written no less than nine commentaries on Old Testament books including one on the Psalms. At one point during the seminar she led us through a spiritual exercise. We read through the first part and the last part of Psalm 136. In the middle of the psalm we diverged into our own stories. We recited to one another the highlights and heartbreaks of the year. And then we remembered the refrain: His faithful love endures forever. Whatever plot twists your story has taken this year, whatever losses you've suffered, whatever rejections, disappointments, humiliations, agonies you've encountered: His faithful love endures forever.
The juxtaposition of the harsh realities of life on the planet with the faithful love of God are impossible to wrap my brain around. It seems almost trite and silly to think about God's love in the face of world suffering. But it also feels completely impossible to face the suffering of the world without reference to the mysteries of God's faithful love.
I've followed Sister Irene's advice again. I've reworked 2016 into Psalm 136.
Psalm 136Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.Give thanks to the God of gods.
His faithful love endures forever.Give thanks to the Lord of lords.
His faithful love endures forever.Give thanks to him who alone does mighty miracles.
His faithful love endures forever.Give thanks to him who made the heavens so skillfully.
His faithful love endures forever.Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters.
His faithful love endures forever.Give thanks to him who made the heavenly lights-
His faithful love endures forever.the sun to rule the day,
His faithful love endures forever.and the moon and stars to rule the night.
His faithful love endures forever.Paris Climate Agreement ratified and went into effect.
His faithful love endures forever.
The Brexit vote left Britain, Europe and the world reeling.
His faithful love endures forever.
An inspiring All Refugee team competes at the Summer Olympics.
His faithful love endures forever.
The situation in Syria continues to decline. Aleppo is nearly obliterated.
His faithful love endures forever.
Fifty were tragically killed in a nightclub in Orlando.
His faithful love endures forever.
The brightest and boldest super moon in over 70 years broke through the November night's sky.
His faithful love endures forever.
The Chicago Cubs won baseball's World Series!
His faithful love endures forever.
In an unprecedentedly ugly election cycle, Donald Trump, wins the Elections in the United States.
His faithful love endures forever.
Mother Theresa was made a saint.
His faithful love endures forever.
India, without warning, banned the 500 rupee and the 1000 rupee note.
His faithful love endures forever.
Leaders from the Roman Catholic Church and the Russian Orthodox church met for the first time since 1054.
His faithful love endures forever.
Harriet Tubman is going to grace the front of the American twenty dollar bill.
His faithful love endures forever.
This morning's sunrise was radiant in broad stripes of bright colours across the dark horizon.
His faithful love endures forever.
When the world news was too much to bear fake news sites did what they could to make it worse.
His faithful love endures forever.
Too many black men were killed by too many white police officers.
His faithful love endures forever.
Former dictator Hissene Habre of Chad was convicted of crimes against humanity and former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic was convicted of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
His faithful love endures forever.
India unveils the world's largest solar panel plant!
His faithful love endures forever.
Five young students in Manhattan, Kansas: Isaac, Adelaide, Lilly, Kathy and Bronwynn, stood up against the status quo for the 57 Native American students who have been personally hurt by the Indian mascot.
His faithful love endures forever.
He remembered us in our weakness.
His faithful love endures forever.He saved us from our enemies.
His faithful love endures forever.He gives food to every living thing.
His faithful love endures forever.Give thanks to the God of heaven.
His faithful love endures forever.[Picture Source: https://goo.gl/images/tjg0LQ%5D
